The Ministry of Local Development announced the cancellation of the building and planning requirements that had been applied in recent years, reverting instead to the provisions of the Unified Building Law No. 119 of 2008, following the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This step aims to simplify the process of obtaining building permits and to support urban development across all governorates.
Simplified Procedures and Less Bureaucracy
Minister of Local Development, Manal Awad, revealed that a new circular has been issued to reduce the number of steps required to obtain a building permit from 15 down to just 8, all of which can be completed through specialized technological centers for planning and regulation, without the need to deal with universities or other specialized entities.
In addition, it is no longer required to present a notarized contract to prove land ownership — any official document proving ownership is now sufficient. Moreover, a land surveying service has been introduced by administrative bodies for a fixed fee, making the process even easier for citizens.
Time Required to Obtain the Permit
The Ministry clarified that the time frame to issue a building permit has been significantly shortened. It now takes no more than 26 working days if no insurance document is required, and up to 40 working days if insurance is needed. This marks a remarkable improvement compared to the previous system, saving both time and effort for citizens.
Permissible Building Heights According to the Law
The Unified Building Law specifies clear regulations for the number of floors depending on the width of the street:
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Streets 6 meters wide or more: A ground floor and three repeated floors are allowed, with a maximum height of 13 meters.
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Streets 8 meters wide or more: Buildings are permitted to reach a height equivalent to twice the width of the street.
The law also allows commercial or administrative activities on the ground and first floors of residential buildings, provided the street is more than 10 meters wide.
Online Applications Active in New Cities
Since January, the Ministry of Housing, in cooperation with the New Urban Communities Authority, has activated an electronic system for obtaining building permits in new cities. This digital platform enables applicants to upload engineering drawings and documents, pay fees online, and complete all procedures without visiting government offices — contributing to the state’s vision of digital transformation.
Detailed Steps for Obtaining a Building Permit
The process of issuing a permit is divided into two main phases:
Phase One – Site Suitability Statement:
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Submit a copy of the ID card, a site sketch, and pay the land surveying fees.
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The suitability statement is issued within 5 days.
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Total duration of this phase: approximately 20 days.
Phase Two – Permit Issuance:
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Submit the application with documents proving a contract with an accredited engineer and the required engineering drawings.
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The review process is completed within 14 days, alongside contracts with a supervising engineer and an accredited contractor.
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A specialized committee determines the necessary fees within 10 days.
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The permit can be collected within 48 hours after fee payment.
Through this framework, the government has created a practical system that simplifies licensing procedures while maintaining safety standards and urban planning regulations. These measures fall within the state’s broader efforts to stimulate urban development and ensure smoother procedures across different regions.
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